Proteas comfortable in PE

Runs flowed freely before lunch as South Africa went into the break on 99 for one in the second Test against New Zealand. Photo by: Anesh Debiky

Runs flowed freely before lunch as South Africa went into the break on 99 for one in the second Test against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

The hosts, who lead the series 1-0, made one forced change to the team which beat New Zealand in Cape Town, with seam bowler Rory Kleinveldt replacing the injured Vernon Philander.

The Black Caps made two changes, fielding a total of three South African-born players.

Colin Munro, born in Durban, replaced James Franklin, who was suffering from a hamstring injury, and the more aggressive left-arm seamer Neil Wagner took Chris Martin's place.

Wagner learnt his cricket at Afrikaans High School for Boys in Pretoria and made his first-class debut for Northerns in the 2005/06 season. He represented the National Academy side before plying his trade overseas.

Wicketkeeper BJ Watling hailed from Durban but moved to New Zealand when he was 10.

Facing the first delivery of the morning, Alviro Petersen wasted no time as he edged Trent Boult to the fine-leg boundary for four.

Not long afterwards, though, Proteas captain Graeme Smith was struck on the helmet after he turned his back on a bouncer from Doug Bracewell. Badly shaken, Smith received on-field treatment but was back on his feet soon enough.

The pair ran well between the wickets until Bracewell bowled another short one and Petersen went for the hook shot. His top-edge found the safe hands of Jeetan Patel at fine-leg and Petersen was out for 21.

At 29 for one, Hashim Amla joined Smith and steered the hosts safely through to the lunch break.

Smith was unbeaten on 40 and Amla on 32 with both batsmen having scored five boundaries each. – Sapa